C. S. Lewis Contra Mundum: How the Whole World Groaned and Found Itself Modernist

Abstract

Just as Athanasius stood against Arianism (the ascendent faith of the ruling class of his day), Lewis stood against Modernism (the ascendent literary movement of his day). This paper will explore Lewis’s pugnacious resistance to Modernism, both as a literary-critic and as a writer of fiction, in the light of his core theological convictions, which include, like Athanasius, a firm belief in Incarnation—in the embodiment of Logos in the material world. In treating this topic, this paper will consider Lewis’s main opponent, Modernist poet T. S. Eliot, who seemingly represents all that Lewis fights against; it will explore the theological underpinnings of Lewis’s disagreement with Eliot and will evaluate Lewis’s desire to retain the image (broadly speaking) in the light of his profoundly Incarnational faith. What is more, it will aim to link that deeply Incarnational faith to his programme of literary re-enchantment.